CD Reviews

Disregard Music Fan of North American, Listen to lucasrod

G. Jefford | Chicago, IL USA | 05/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been enjoying 'a musica Brasileira' since 1971. This CD is one of the best I have ever heard and is one of my favorites of the >100 Brazilian CDs in my collection. A problem with much popular vocal music in the United States is that the industry has selected for a very narrow range of what it considers to be commercially viable. Someone with a voice like Chico Buarque or Tom Ze would not be considered viable here. And what a pity to get so much stuff like Brittany Spears. Anyway, the songs on this CD are great. This is one of those CDs that I have never tired of. I believe all these songs and more are also found on the Monarch import called A Velha Guarda da Portela. For me, this is a comfort CD. One of those you put on just because it makes you feel good."

Real Samba

Helion Povoa Neto | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 01/04/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Contrary to the review by "Music Fan" of North America, this IS real samba, authentic as the life of Brazilian black people and habitants of the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Moreira and Sargento are two of the greatest masters of samba. They are not professional singers, but influential composers and artists. If you want to get experienced in this kind of art, don't hesitate to buy it. If you want an easier introduction, try the David Byrne compilation. It's the "best" through his eyes, or ears, but Brazilian music is much more than that."

Let me explain the bad review

Moten Swing | NYC | 10/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with the majority of reviews here. This is a super samba CD, it's the real stuff. But the reason "A music fan from North America" didn't like it is because the guys on the record maybe don't have the most gorgeous voices in the world--they just have perfect voices for what they do. This is real, authentic street-side samba. Their voices are a bit rough sometimes, but they are fantastic nonetheless."

Great. Incredibly danceable, with many beautiful melodies.

Moten Swing | 07/19/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hard to stop playing this CD. Gorgeous, intricate melodies, world class but unassuming musicianship, humor and passion."

This is certainly an interesting find

Moten Swing | 11/05/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation presents another side of Samba that isn't presented on David Byrne's compilation "O Samba." It's acoustic and very underproduced, almost ad hoc. This is very thing for those seeking the real, gritty, uncorrupted samba of the favelas."